Stay · South side
Casa Cereza
Two-bedroom house on a quiet south-end street, about four minutes' walk to the plaza and beach, with a private garden, outdoor shower and air-conditioned rooms. No pool; sleeps four.
Pick your side of town
Where you stay shapes the trip: the plaza’s buzz, a quiet palm grove on the north beach, or a view from the hill. Already booked? See what’s around your stay
Which side?
Centro and the plazaNights out, and walking to everythingPlaza 1 minBeach 3 minFeels livelyMost US$110–350
The north sideFamilies and groups: palms, pools and the long beachPlaza 10 minBeach 3 minFeels calmMost US$150–450
The south sideThe plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walkPlaza 7 minBeach 3 minFeels mixedMost US$130–400
Playa los MuertosCalm water for swimming and small kidsPlaza 11 minBeach 3 minFeels calmMost US$200–900
Nanzal hillBig views from the hill; you'll want a cartPlaza 20 minBeach 3 minFeels quietMost US$200–600
Up the valleyBudget stays and everyday local lifePlaza 13 minBeach 3 minFeels mixedMost US$80–250
Compare the sides in a table
| Side | Walk to the plaza | Walk to the beach | Feels | Most stays a night | Stays | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centro | 1 min | 3 min | lively | US$110–350 | 112 | Nights out, and walking to everything |
| North side | 10 min | 3 min | calm | US$150–450 | 169 | Families and groups: palms, pools and the long beach |
| South side | 7 min | 3 min | mixed | US$130–400 | 95 | The plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walk |
| Los Muertos | 11 min | 3 min | calm | US$200–900 | 14 | Calm water for swimming and small kids |
| Nanzal | 20 min | 3 min | quiet | US$200–600 | 36 | Big views from the hill; you'll want a cart |
| Up the valley | 13 min | 3 min | mixed | US$80–250 | 41 | Budget stays and everyday local life |
Walks are on foot from the middle of each side, roughly; carts take about a third of the time. Prices are what places publish, the middle half of them.
Prices are the lowest night each place publishes, usually in low season; places that don’t publish one aren’t shown under a budget. Pool, A/C and kitchen show the stays we know have them; a place that doesn’t say isn’t a no, it just isn’t listed here.
The south side
Hillside lanes between the plaza and Los Muertos: views, guesthouses and a short walk down to the beach.
24 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 42 are over budget, 27 don't publish a price
Stay · South side
El Oasis
Compound of six casas sharing a waterfall pool and palapa lounge bar on the south side, under a 10-minute walk to the plaza and beach. Rent one casa or all nine bedrooms (24 guests).
Stay · South-east edge
El Refugio de Sayulita
Lush, peaceful wellness guesthouse a walk from the center.
Stay · South side
Casa Amarilla
Walled, gated villa with a two-bedroom main house and two one-bedroom casitas around a shared pool in a tropical garden. Walkable to the beach and village.
Stay · South side
Casa Ballena
One-bedroom casita with a king bed and outdoor shower on Gringo Hill, about a six-minute walk to the plaza and beach.
Stay · South side
Casa Boho
Hilltop house with a private pool and open-plan living, offered in three sizes from 3 to 5 bedrooms. Within about half a mile of the plaza but up a steep hill; a golf cart helps.
Stay · South side
Casa Colibri at Selva Maaku
Rental listed in Selva Maaku, a gated jungle community about half a mile from the Sayulita centre with a shared lap pool.
Stay · South side
Casa de las Hijas
Studio casita on the south side at the end of a quiet street, with a kitchen and rooftop deck; about seven minutes' walk to the plaza.
Stay · South side
Casa Dos Rios Downstairs
Two-bedroom ground-floor suite on the south side with a patio over the shared pool; five minutes' walk to the centre.
Stay · South side
Casa Jacobo
Small group of villas on a hillside on Calle Naranjito, with views over the village and jungle and a five-minute walk to the beach. Daily maid service and an on-site manager.
Stay · South side
Casa Jaqui
Gated set of five apartments south of the plaza, one two-bedroom and four one-bedroom, with a shared pool, garages and air conditioning.
Stay · South side
Casa Karma
Two two-bedroom units on the quiet south end, each with its own private pool, rentable separately or together. About seven minutes on foot to the beach.
Stay · South side, El Oasis hill
Casa Sandia Main Level
One-bedroom lower level of Casa Sandia on the hill above the plaza, with a kitchen, outdoor shower and BBQ, and shared use of the lit pool. Ocean and jungle views.
Stay · South side
Casa Solana
One-bedroom apartment on a hill on the south side, about 8 minutes on foot from the plaza along a dirt road. Courtyard, terrace and pool access; sleeps three.
Stay · South side, La Villa Buena Vida
Casita Limon
Second-floor studio at La Villa Buena Vida, overlooking a gated courtyard and pool. About five minutes to the plaza and six to the beach; four-night minimum.
Stay · South side
Condos del Sol
Eight two-bedroom condos with a pool, parking and A/C, rented only on six-month or longer terms. A few blocks from the beach and centre.
Stay · South side
Corona Del Mar
Two-bedroom, two-bath hilltop house with bay views and a big covered terrace with hammocks. About eight minutes' walk to the plaza and beach; two-night minimum.
Stay · South side
Las Cupulas
Compound of three brick-vaulted villas (one, two and one bedrooms) sharing a pool terrace with BBQ. Quiet street a few minutes' walk from the plaza.
Stay · South side
Villa Estrella de Mar
Four-bedroom, three-bath villa sleeping 12, with a pool and hot tub. About a 2-minute walk to Gringo Hill, 5 to the plaza and 7 to the beach.
Stay · South side
HOTEL SAMANU SAYULITA
Mid-range hotel of about 18 studios and suites on the road to Higuera Blanca, roughly ten minutes' walk from the plaza. Has pools, including one for children, air-conditioned rooms, free breakfast and limited free parking.
Requests to book go straight to the owner or manager on WhatsApp; we don’t take payments or a cut. Owners and managers can claim a listing.